Road Trip Must Haves

Photo from flickr.com. Uploaded by user Emlyn Stokes.

This Fourth of July holiday, the Schoonover family (including Schoonover dog, Bingo) will make the annual trip to Up North to the Iron Range to celebrate our nation’s birthday the true Minnesotan way. Hopefully any road trips you have planned for this summer will not include the sibling quarrels and/or overpacking conflicts that I foresee in the coming days. As a veteran of this vacation and several other auto-journeys including a car ride to Iowa in a blizzard and an excursion home from Chicago in a minivan sans air conditioning, I know how easily a road trip can drive one to madness, and what it takes to steer into perfection. Here’s my list of everything you need for the perfect road trip.

1. Appropriate attire. Comfort is always on the minds of experienced road trippers. In most cases, people lean toward their go-to pair of sweatpants and possibly a layer or two on top rather than pulling out all the stops in a cramped set of skinny jeans and the latest trendy tee. The best route is to find a healthy medium. Always consider the climates of your starting point and final destination-if they aren’t similar, remember to dress in layers or bring an extra sweatshirt or too. Dress for comfort, but keep in mind that it’s not necessary to forsake all style. Instead of your part-time pajamas, girls can opt for colorful yoga pants or work out gear and guys can employ breathable shorts without airing out all their dirty laundry. Oh, and spare all your road trip companions and leave the stinky tennis shoes at home.
2. Thoughtful navigation. When I surveyed a group of close friends and family asking them for their road trip must haves, I couldn’t believe that I hadn’t thought of this obvious essential myself: a map. For all the planners and initiative takers out there, don’t forget your navigation! Whether you rely on the high tech options like smartphones or GPS systems, or prefer to keep it old school with a car compass and road maps, every road trip is subject to failure if you lack direction.
3. Sizable supply of tunes. If there is one piece of advice that can make or break a road trip, it is this: don’t let dependence on your local radio station inhibit your trip! Once you are out of the jurisdiction of your go-to pre-programmed radio channels, you are at the mercy of every other towns’ music tastes. Even if you love listening to the “Top-20 Hits” stations that you can find almost anywhere in the country, you’ll want to escape the repetition about an hour and a half into any excursion. From “dad-rock” to contemporary hits, and the occasional boy-band throwback, my family has mastered this must have. The key is to keep the tempo up, so everyone stays energized and pumped for the duration, but include a broad enough mixture to accommodate everyone in tow. The caravan that rocks out together, stays together.
4. Regret-free snacks. Rest assured, this must-have is not intended to make anyone feel guilty about their snacking choices. As far as I’m concerned, road trips would be nothing without an indulgent assortment of goodies. When I say “regret-free” I am referring to snack messiness. When it comes to salty selections, it’s easy to go straight for the cheesy Doritos or greasy plain potato chips. For sweets, you might want to turn to some individually wrapped Starbursts or melt-prone M&M’s. These choices are mistakes! For the perfect road trip menu, avoid snacks that will leave you lamenting greasy steering wheels or a wrapper-littered car floor. Instead, if you have a salty tooth go for pretzels or Pringles. For the sweet-tooths like yours truly, Twizzlers and frozen grapes are excellent choices.
5. Energizing entertainment. While no one is immune to carride cat naps, people return to road trips year after year for the excitement and the memories they bring. To guarantee a memorable trip, come prepared with the right entertainment for your specific group and car. In more spacious vehicles, a card game might be possible between the seats. For younger crowds, a store of coloring books will come in handy. Do not underestimate the power of a classic game of “I Spy,” “Twenty Questions,” or “Would You Rather” to make the time go faster. Also, don’t forsake your own timeless family traditions in the car whether they be singalongs or made up games. You’re most likely going to be on the road for hours at a time, why not take the opportunity to have some fun?

This summer, take your personal road trip experiences and add these must haves for a flawless trek. Your tans and bug bites will fade, but the memories gained from trips like these will last all year and beyond.